66 Valiant Signet sees the light of day

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Super Sleeper

Super Sleeper

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2019
Messages
126
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Location
Sequim, WA
Yesterday we finally exhumed my brother's 66 Valiant from his backyard after almost 24 years under covers. My brother had passed away earlier this year and my niece, her husband, and a few of my brother's friends have spent our free weekends sifting through his stuff and car parts. Since I have known all of his exploits drag racing his Valiant I have become its owner and restorer. Yesterday we finally brought the Valiant home.
Here are a few snapshots we took during the process. I will get more engine bay and interior shots today. My brother had returned the Valiant to stock before he parked it for the last time in 1996. My intention is to get it running and driving safely in time for the 2020 Spring Fling in Van Nuys. I also want to take it to a cruise-in at the speed shop where my brother worked for many years. After that, it will move with my wife and I to Washington state where we are building our retirement home (and garage!).
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20191213_101913 by Jim Harris, on Flickr
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20191213_101930 by Jim Harris, on Flickr
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20191213_123502 by Jim Harris, on Flickr
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20191213_123527 by Jim Harris, on Flickr
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20191213_123551 by Jim Harris, on Flickr
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20191213_125959 by Jim Harris, on Flickr
 
Looks like a nice one. Thanks for sharing your story.
 
Sorry to here about your brother but happy his car has a good home.
 
Sorry about your brother, nice to see it staying in the family and that your getting it back on the road. What part of Washington are you moving to?
 
Here's some snapshots of the engine bay this morning. I'll get some interior shots later when I can roll it out into the sun.
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And here's one from back in the day.
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was it raced with the 273?
like the Paxton(?) supercharger...with cogged belt.no slip!
what did the car run?
 
WOW! Sure is a clean car. Sorry about your brother, but he's probably looking down and smiling because you're taking care of his car. Did he keep the fenderwell headers? If so, they would be great garage art in your new home. Have fun sprucing the car up, and good luck with your move.
 
Thank you for all the kind words. My brother, Bob, was definitely one of a kind. Although his last years were spent as a carb guru he had also spent some years as the Mallory rep for southern California and had his ignition shop in his same town. He had access to a lot of racing parts and sources. I believe those headers were built by Doug Thorley himself back in the day. I remember meeting Doug one of the times I was at the drags with Bob. Unfortunately for me Bob sold most of those trick parts along the way, including the Paxtons - he had several. I'm hoping that as we uncover more of the garage we will find the Mopar mounting hardware for the Paxton. I am guessing those are pretty rare today.
On his quarter mile times, I remember that he was in the 13 second range with the 273 and was dialing in at 11.80 with the 340. I know that I will find all his timing slips somewhere!

I have to figure out just what engine is in it now. The water pump lower hose is on the driver's side and it obscures the timing index that is below it. Is that a mix of 273 and 340 parts?
 
A few of the interior.
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He always raced the car with its full interior and trim. All original except maybe for the driver's seat.
 
Great car, and great story! Your brother will live on through your love of the car!
 
The casting number is on the drivers side of the motor, it will have the part number of the block and the displacement. Also, the drivers side motor mount boss will be narrower across than a 273/318. If it is a 340/360 block it will measure 3” outside to outside, a 273/318 measures 3 1/2”.
 
OK, thanks, I got this picture of the casting number but I will go back and see if I can get a better pic and a measurement of the motor mount boss.
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OK. The mount measures 3 1/2" outside-to-outside. But I also confirmed that the flywheel ring gear is spun and loose. So I think I'm pulling the engine anyway!
 
Sorry to hear about the unfortunate circumstances that you got this cool car. Hope to see it in the area some time.
 
Now that it is apparent that the block is a 360 (53020006) and quite possibly a Magnum since it uses hollow pushrods to oil the top end, I will post some questions on the Magnum swap forum. Since he used an LA style intake I need to figure out what the heads are. Also, I am pulling the engine to replace the flywheel ring gear, which is split and just spinning.
 
I like the S Emblem on the fender. Any track pictures of it? Glad it went to the right home.
 
Wow, thanks for noticing, Hyper_pak. Yes, my brother was always pleased by the Formula S badges. They were on it when he bought it as a year-old used car. Apparently, the dealer put them on. They had optioned the Valiant with everything (Commando engine, 4-speed with Hurst shifter, HD suspension, Firm Ride shocks, 10" brakes, dual-into-one exhaust with the chrome square tip ) except for the tachometer, to make it a Formula S; a Barracuda coupe so to speak. It also has the quick ratio steering and 8 3/4 Sure Grip rear end.
As for the racing. He raced at Irwindale and Lions until becoming a regular at Orange County International Raceway (OCIR) after it opened.
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I've already found his pit pass stash. I'm sure I will eventually find all his timing slips.
 
Sorry for the loss of your brother. I think it would be cool to turn it back into the "Super Sleeper". :)
 
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